Sussner leads the way

There was a game plan.

"We had a different game plan, taking some risks, but the girls executed it well," said Coach Hayley Fruin.

Minneota has had trouble in the past stopping the Panthers' Sydney Lanoue at the net.

So they decided to go at her and Evie Dolan, make them work and if not blocking their hits, at least get touches on the ball.

It worked to perfection.

Junior Lydia Sussner came through with 26 kills and five blocks for points, neutralized the hard-hitting Lanoue and gave the win and state tournament berth to Minneota.

"Lydia read them well," said Coach Fruin.

When not at the net blocking or hitting, Sussner got help from Natalee Rolbiecki, Jennifer Krog, Lizzy Gillingham and Sydney Larson.

Also part of the plan included Libero Abby Hennen. "We put a lot of pressure on Abby — but there is no better girl to do it," the coach said.

In the back row, Abby Hennen led the charge, chased down balls and passed them to her setter, Morgan Kockelman.

After falling apart 25-12 in the fourth game, Minneota had to re-coup and re-organize.

Coach Fruin said the key to win was, "To get the first couple of points."

They did just that, leading 2-0, then 6-2 as Sussner took control of the net.

In fact, Minneota built a 10-4 lead, then up to 14-9.

But Lanoue wasn't finishd. She and Dolan came roaring back, and behind the serving of Cassidy Smith, scored five straight points to make it 14-13.

But the Panthers muffed the final hit into the net and the game, and brilliant run the past three years was over.

Minneota was on its way to the state tournament.

The Vikings pulled it out because, "We stuck together. It was awesome," said Sydney Larson. "We brought a lot more energy," she said.

For Sussner it was, "The right mind set."

When they were destroyed by T-M-B in the fourth game, 25-12, Sussner said, "It was scary. But we got our head together and decided to start playing OUR game."

Fact is, "We were making 'em look too good," said Sussner.

While Sussner was the key to the fifth game with six of the eight kills, Rolbiecki had a solid kill and Krog banged home a hard hit during the Viking uprising.

"We were sick of losing to Tracy. And we knew were were the team to do it (beat them)," said Morgan Hennen.

She added, "We knew we had to come back and get the momentum on our side."

Junior Lizzy Gillingham didn't hide her emotions. Tears of joy flowed freely and her face turned red. Her explaination of the upset was simple. "We wanted it more. Yes, we were tired of losing to Tracy. We brought more energy," she said.

Then, perhaps speaking for all the Vikings she added, "I'm so happy I can't even speak."